Does anyone grow watermelons?

[Saffron]

Are they difficult or a lot of work to grow? Is one variety better than another? Do little critters like to eat the plants or the fruit as they're developing? Sorry, too many questions!

 

[Snowwark]

Watermelons...yummy...juicy, sweet, I even love the fresh summery smell of them! That must be why I use Cucumber Melon Bath and BodyWorks products in the summer. But I digress....lol

I've never grown watermelons Maggie, I'd love to, but I simply don't have the space they require.

Hopefully, one of our other Buds has, and can give you some hands on tips.

In the meantime, here's a link that should help you get started.

Yummy...Watermelons!

Kim

 

[Saffron]

Thank you Snowwark!

I've decided NOT to plant any more flowers, except sunflowers and nastursums. But -- I decided to grow fruting bearing plants and trees. For years I've missed my grandfather's yard/garden, so I decided to just go ahead and see what I can do. I ordered:

2 dwarf apple trees; one red, one yellow
4 raspberry bushes
4 blackberry bushes
3 blueberry bushes
25 everbearing strawberry plants
and 1 dwarf fig tree

LOL!

I thought I might as well see if I can grow watermelons and pumpkins while I'm at it. Between the fruit and my little herb garden, my whole backyard will be edible.

Now to edit the title of the thread.

 

[Snowwark]

Great plans there Saffron! Would you keep us posted on how it's going?

My Grandmother used to have a fabulous garden, with all kinds of vegetables and lots of berry bushes. I fondly remember helping her out when I was a kid.

I seem to remember you mentioning that sunflowers were your favourite flower, is that right? I've had miniature ones, but never the big tall giants.

 

[Cthia]

We have planted two kinds of watermelons in the past. Unfortunately I can't tell you the names right now. I know each was of different sizes.

I would suggest planting them in a place with plenty of room, they do like to spread out, depending on how many you plant. Plant them early so they have time to grow to the size of watermelon you purchased. The larger ones take a bit more time to grow. We planted them in a moist part of the yard with plenty of daily sun.

As for maintenance I did not find them hard to take care of. We basically planted the seeds and let them be. I think it does suggest that you keep the strongest plant from the mounds. I haven't bought seeds yet so I can't read the package to let you know what they do say.

Just becareful there are few critters out there that love to eat the watermellons.

Good luck with your garden.

 

[DebºoºS]

We do grow watermelon and assorted other melons also. They take valuable space but well worth it. There is nothing like homegrown melon fresh picked. MMM good.

They like to be watered consistently, sunny roomy location & sandy well drained soil.

I had a perfect melon in our garden one year and when I thought the time was right to pick it I picked it up to find a mouse/vole had eaten the whole thing hollow! It looked great from the top but was gutted inside. They can be a nuisance.

Last year we had another somewhat amusing experience with our melons. They disappeared one by one. There was a thread about it at the time. I never did find out who or what was the culprit.

 

[DixieDreamer]

I have grown some gorgeous cantalopes and watermelons. I did watermelons year before last and they were delicious and very easy to grow. I have ideal conditions for melons though... with a long growing season... lots of sun... and a well drained soil. I start the seeds indoors and provide them protection for the first few weeks when planted out. This gave me a longer growing season and more fruit for a longer period of time.

Here's a pic of one of those yummy watermelons!

 

[Snowwark]

This year you're going to mail me one of those beauties, right Laura?

I remember that Deb! Still a mystery, eh?